By Chaudhry Muhammad Latif
I may state at the very outset that my objective of this article is not to seek projection of a particular family rather the purpose is that instead of begging from different countries of the world, we should approach the generous and philanthropist personalities of the Pakistani nation. The world is surprised to see our poor plight which is a country with a group of over wealthy people. While a major section of the society falls below the poverty line. The elite is alleged for evasion of payment of their dues as most of them stand pitched in the Assemblies and Senate being electables . If one patriotic billionaire of Sri Lanka could restore the financial position of his country, our billionaires could also change the fate and future of Pakistan.
At the same time the families who sacrifice for the nation must be respected and recognized by the society. So the description of Chaudhry Wali Joo family has been selected as an example. Chaudhry Wali Joou was like Chaudhry Zahoor Ellahi of Gujrat whose death was announced by the BBC in their Urdu Service Seirbeen with the remarks that champion of charity in Pakistan had died. The financial positon of Chaudhry Wali Joo in the year 1947 is evident from a cheque number 25661, dated 13-2-1947 amounting to 5000/- rupees in favor of Khawaja Wali Joo Sahib, issued by Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited (Kashmir).
It was custom in British rule in India that each respectable person was registered by every Deputy Commissioner as Kursi Nasheen. Similarly in the State of Jammu & Kashmir the Maharaja Hari Singh had also enforced a law whereby respectables and notables of the state were designated and registered as Chaudhry by respective Deputy Commissioner. So, for the city of Muzaffarabad Khawaja Wali Joo had been designated as Chaudhry and thereby he was city father of Muzaffarabad. As such, his family is known as Chaudhry with all the qualities and generosity of Chaudhry Wali Joo. I am going to record and refer the admirable services and character which made Chaudhry Wali Joo prominent.
Once the Maharaja came to Muzaffarabad. The Maharaja had prescribed a costume for participation in the Darbar which was that of his Dogra family which did not suit Islamic teachings. It was pointed out in the Darbar meeting that local Chaudhry Wali Joo was absent. Maharaja ordered to produce him by all means in his Darbar. Accordingly Chaudhry Wali Joo was brought in the meeting and he was physically quite fit. Maharaja asked Chaudhry Wali Joo the reason of his absence. Chaudhry Wali Joo told him that the uniform prescribed for your Darbar does not suit Muslim values therefore he avoided to join the Darbar. The Maharaja declared there and then to discord the Darbari uniform and all participants were allowed to attend the Darbar in the dress of their choice. This was the devotion of Chaudhry Wali Joo for Islamic teachings.
Another dispute came up when the writer held the assignment of Registrar Cooperative. There was some misappropriation in a cooperative society in which rights of poor members had been usurped. In that case a very close relative of Chaudhry Wali Joo was involved. It was testing position for Chaudhry Wali Joo who too was a member of the society. I was astonished when I recorded the statement of Chaudhry Wali Joo who gave evidence against his close relative who also held very high political position. This was the caliber and character of Chaudhry Wali Joo in matters to truthfulness, integrity and uprightness.
Chaudhry Wali Joo used to distribute ration packages before every Ramzan Sharif for the poor and needy people of the city. Some years ago, my maid servant told that she would not come for duty the next day because she was to get ration from Chaudhry family which would be enough for her family for the month of Ramzan. The family of Chaudhry Wali Joo has upheld this tradition up to date.
The AJK civil secretariat was shifted to new complex in Chatter Domel. But there was no facility of transport for civil servants. The writer being Secretary Services was worried for lower staff. Therefore, Chaudhry Shamas Din son of Chaudry Wali Joo was requested by the writer to extend the facility of pick and drop by his Chaudhry Bus Service as the month of Ramzan was near in the hottest days of June. I was so obliged when Chaudhry Bus was made available to Civil Secretariat free of fare till we arranged new buses out of Benevolent Fund resources.
In 4-field mosque the Masjid committee decided to expand the mosque and replace the roof with lanter. I, being the president of Masjid committee went to cement shop owned by Chaudhry family at Tanga Stand. They promised to send the cement at requisite place. When the construction of mosque was completed the committee contacted the cement shop to send the bill. They replied that total amount had been paid by Chaudhry family and nothing was outstanding against the 4-field mosque.
The purpose of stating a few events of one family of Chaudhry Wali Joo shows that noble people are certainly available in our society, who should be motivated and mobilizeds and utilize own resources in Pakistan. Our leaders should generate confidence in the public and rectify the problem of trust deficit.
The writer is Retired Additional Chief Secretary and Advocate Supreme Court of AJK.
The End
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